it now. The Elder Council had called for him, and their requests were never insignificant. The room was softly illuminated, the atmosphere heavy with the aroma of scorching herbs. The five elders o

s unparalleled." "A kid born from the previous Luna, concealed from the pack... Are you aware of what this implies, Kade?" "He is my successor," Kade declared assertively. "The veins of the Raventhorn Alpha carry his blood." Elder Dorian, the most conservative of them, mocked. "A successor brought up beyond our regulations." A child born out of wedlock. A faint growl echoed in Kade's chest. "Be cautious with your words, Elder." Dorian remained undaunted. "Do not confuse fact with insult, Alpha." The child was unacknowledged, not brought up in our midst. "That's an issue." Alaric raised a hand, quieting any additional disagreement. "There are more significant issues involved." "The presence of the boy alters the power dynamics." Kade's hands tightened into fists. He understood the direction this was